guys im so confused need some advice..

So apply. The first year with any company will be filled with stress, frustration, and low pay. But the industry is ramping up after years of dormancy and if you can survive the first "training" year, you'll be in very good shape to pick your apples from the part of your tree you want.

Get that first job and stay a year. Use your CDL. And listen to Injun; she is wise beyond her years and knows whereof she speaks.

 

"...don't feel young..?" Dude, I have belts older than you! You are young.

 

Great advice. I have a friend working for Southeastern Freight. He started out at 17.50 an hr and within his first year was making 21.00 an hr. 5 days a week, 60 hrs or more every week, 4th of July, thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years off with pay. I'd be there now but I've still got the OTR bug biting me, plus I've got a pretty good job.

 

Driving junk that won't pass a DOT inspection. Even some of the mega-trash haulers look to have crappy equipment, MBI for example.

 

Sounds great except there are probably at least 100 drivers applying for every good LTL job. At least. With that kind of pay, you can bet it is not as easy as, "just go get an LTL job." They are by far the best jobs. Some labor and unloading but not nearly as back-breaking as the foodservice jobs. And you don't just go apply. Take the time to draft a good-looking resume. With the LTL companies mentioned here, you apply online and send them your resume. Then you wait for the call, if it ever comes.

You might try some the foodservice jobs. A lot of those places, Sysco, MBM, U.S. Foodservice, are practically begging for drivers where I am. Of course there is a reason. But the money is good and you get to sleep in your bed, though, you won't be there very much.

 

I can understand the "not wanting to go back otr" feeling. I hate being away from my fiance for weeks at a time and I know she hates it too. Problem is, you have to work to live in this world. When I'm on the road I spend alot of time wishing I was home, then after sitting at home for a few weeks between jobs I actually start to miss the road. When the heck did that start happening?

Ol Ronnie wasn't kidding when he said he was a Prisoner of the Highway...

I tried going local, but after trucking so long I forgot how much of a pain in the butt it is to have the bossman breathing down your neck. I guess that you just have to figure out what is best for you and your wife.

 

If this trash job you're referring to is the actual trash collector position I would think long and hard about that, you live in Syracuse F'in New York, does it not get miserably cold there in the winter? Horrendous days does not mean the trash doesn't get picked up, when I moved here to PA I had an offer with WM and just couldn't convince myself that I was up for picking up garbage in all weather conditions, and 11.00 dollars an hour is not worth what you'll have to put up with, hell even in Florida where I'm from the independent trash companies were paying 14.00 an hour, and if you know anything about Florida they have some of the lowest paying driving jobs nationwide.

Now if this is a transfer station type/tractor trailer driving job that's a different story, I did this for nearly 4 years in Florida and enjoyed it. You simply get loaded at point A, and take it to the landfill which is point B and either walk it off, or go on a tipper.

Listen to Injun about Schneider, they really have opened a lot of diversity through their dedicated and regional routes which offer good hometime. I also know they're recruiting pretty heavily for natural gas drivers in New York, just depends where you're at in relation to their needs.

 

Anything by paid the hour beats CPM

LTL
Garbage,,

Shoot if you live in "In The Cuse",Dah Big Orange,,go to work for Gypsum haulin Budweiser,they are all regional runs,and you "homerun back to the plant in Baldwinsville

 

That was good,DenaliDad. He has his whole life ahead of him. If he takes the local job, he can always come back to Local Driving.

 

I personally know MANY drivers running local, making $100k. All depends how well you can drive. All these guys have 30 plus years driving. Look at Tankers, $100K plus. But he has to start somewhere. Put your time in. $11.00 hr, 60hrs weekly, He should take home at least $400, Im just guessing off the top, did not do the math. Now being in a truck 24/7 add up your hours you should be getting paid for living in a truck, mostly in a truck for free, no pay.